Read Rev 21:1–8
Rev 21:1-5 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. (2) And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. (3) And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. (4) He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” (5) And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
Revelation really doesn’t teach us anything that hasn’t already been taught to us in the rest of Scriptures. It is like a summary of all of what Scripture has taught us elsewhere. Chapter twenty-one is no different. Isaiah has spoken of this day. Isa 65:17-19 “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind. (18) But be glad and rejoice forever in that which I create; for behold, I create Jerusalem to be a joy, and her people to be a gladness. (19) I will rejoice in Jerusalem and be glad in my people; no more shall be heard in it the sound of weeping and the cry of distress.” And again, Isa 66:22-24 “For as the new heavens and the new earth that I make shall remain before me, says the LORD, so shall your offspring and your name remain. (23) From new moon to new moon, and from Sabbath to Sabbath, all flesh shall come to worship before me, declares the LORD. (24) “And they shall go out and look on the dead bodies of the men who have rebelled against me. For their worm shall not die, their fire shall not be quenched, and they shall be an abhorrence to all flesh.”
This present world is corrupted by sin. When Adam rebelled against God in whose image he was created, it sent out a ripple effect throughout created. Creation sought its redemption just as mankind did. Paul writes, Rom 8:20-21 “For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope (21) that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.”
St. Peter also writes of this, 2Pe 3:10-13 “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. (11)…what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, (12) waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! (13) But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” When Jesus returns and raises us up from the dead, he raises us and creation incorruptible and perfect, that is, all those who trust in his name. The rest shall suffer everlasting torment and shame with the angels that rebelled against him in eternal death in the last of everlasting fire. So, where are you going to be on that day? Trust in Jesus.
Heavenly Father, you have made exceedingly great and wonderful promises in your Son Jesus Christ. Grant us faith that we will be raised to everlasting life in the new heavens and new earth of the day of his second advent. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.